Last week’s winner from the Blog for an Amuse-Bouche contest is Randy Herderson, whose menu items included:
Deglazed mermaid on a small cake of Sam’s Famous taters. The nice thing is you can eat these in complete confidence that the mermaids were captured without the use of nets, so no selkies were harmed in their harvesting.
Drop us a line to tell us what e-mail address to Paypal your winnings to, Randy!
This week’s reprint, Miss Cubbidge and the Dragon of Romance, got me thinking about fantasy companions. There’s scads of them in fantasy literature, including notables such as Miss Cubbidge’s companion, Harvey the Invisible Rabbit and his scarier counterpart in the movie Donnie Darko, or Nesbit’s Psammead. Anne McCaffrey’s books frequently feature draconic companions, sized from fire lizard to full-scale dragon. Let’s not even go into how many Dar the Beastmaster, of classic B-movie fame boasts, including Kodo and Podo the ferrets. Admit it, you too have secretly wished for your very own daemon, such as Philip Pullman’s Pantalaimon?
Some of us may have adopted a few beasties as imaginary companions in childhood, or named our real pets after them. So here’s this week’s invitation to comment – who are the fantasy nonhuman companions you really loved, and why? If you were to choose your perfect companion or daemon, what would it be? As always, the author of the comment that entertains or intrigues us most will receive a munificent prize of $10, suitable for taking any invisible companions out for a cup of joe.
Cthulhu!
Nobody would ever take my lunch money then! Motherfuckers gonna pay.
Falcor from the Never Ending Story!
Part lamb, part dog, part cuddly dragon.
There was always something rather sad in his eyes, though. Like he’d gone through some trauma earlier in life. Perhaps he spent some time on the streets of Fantasia, squatting in mystical caves. Regardless, it was that sadness in those big brown eyes that drew me to him. For a fantasy character, he just seemed much more down to earth and relatable than all those plush thingies with cult-style dilated pupils.
Bit from the movie Tron, even if it’s a bit more sci-fi than fantasy.
You did say non-human… `8r)
Momo the bat-lemur from Avatar. I think it’s the ears, and the fact that he doesn’t fulfill any plot purpose; he just acts like a real pet.
Although if I could submit a sci-fi example, Princess Arjumand from To Say Nothing of the Dog would win hands down.
Yes, he was totally set up to be classic trope #372, the tragic comic relief everyone loves, but Pukah from Rose of the Prophet is insanely awesome. The only Djinn bad enough to take on Kuag.
Chewbacca.
My favorite fantasy companion is Boo, the Miniature Giant space Hamster from Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate 2. Mostly, I love how he has an unhealthy relationship with the ranger Minsc that borders (and crosses) the boundaries of utterly disturbing-ness. You don’t want to ask Minsc where he hid his miniature giant space hamster in the beginning of Baldur’s Gate 2 in the prison level. You really don’t.
Of course, isn’t Hobbes also the perfect fantasy companion? I don’t think I need to explain Hobbes to this crowd. But, perhaps Hobbes is not a companion as much because he’s too much a part of the story and actions of the world.
The more I think about it, the more I think everyone needs a Hobbes. Angel, demon, dragon, human, and anyone and everyone in between. We, all of us, need a Hobbes.
I’m sad now, because I don’t have a Hobbes. All I have is a houseplant, and no matter how much I talk to it, it never quotes philosophy books. (All my plant wants to talk about is sunlight and the necessity of insectivores… )
Hm. My favorite non-human companion is from sf — and Alan Nourse book called Star Doctor. It was a small pink ball of fluff that accompanied our hero everywhere and was in empathic contact with him and could subtly influence those around him to look favorably on our hero’s cause. I was 10 or 11 when I read it and I really needed one of those. I’m afraid I’ve forgotten his name though.
I’ve always thought a Cheshire Cat would make a good companion/pet.
MKK
A side note about non-human companions. In role playing games, I always hated them. Somebody always had a Kinder or a fairy dragon or some nuisance that they were using to foul up the game.
“Maybe my Kinder has something to help!”
*rolls for random inventory*
“Yay! She did!”
The rest of us, “Hooray.” *cue muttered curses*
And they were always feeding them and fussing with them and carrying on conversations with them. Yet where were they in battle? Hiding, because “My companion might be killed! Hurry! Hide!”
Co-dependency in the guise of fantasy roleplaying.
Toad, from the Mario-verse, for three reasons:
1. He’s always happy to see you.
2. He’s helpful.
3. Whenever he’s bemoaning and teary-eyed, he makes you look like a total badass by comparison.
For a bit of shameless spousal promotion, the series, “A Familiar’s Tale: Gate of Souls Book 1″ by Verna McKinnon, is about just that. Animal companions of both Sorcerers and Sorceress who either fight against or join with dark forces to enslave a world. Interested? Check out vernamckinnon.com or the publisher’s site, HD-IMAGE.com.
My obsession with dragons is such that I always wear a ring shaped like a dragon, have a Chinese paper dragon hanging from the ceiling of my bedroom and have named dragons as my favorite animal in getting-to-know you session at work (I was the only one to name a fantasy animal, and the only one to pick something vaguely reptilian as my favorite animal). If a book cover has a dragon on it I will at least glance at the back copy. I love them in all their varieties.
I have read many, many author’s versions of dragons. Donita K. Paul has dragons of varying magical ability, size and intellect who work in cooperation with humans. Jane Yolen’s dragons are raised as fighters and forced into mock fights with one another for the entertainment of humans while the wild dragons are threatened by extinction. Mercedes Lackey’s dragons are also used as fighters, but they are used as flying steeds in wars between humans. They are vicious unless raised from the egg by their rider. Christopher Paolini’s dragons are telepathic, intelligent magic wielders who form a symbiotic relationship with humans and elves. Patricia Brigg’s dragons seemed to be extinct, but they have the ability to take on human form and use magic. Tamora Pierce’s dragons are long-lived scholars who can speak, live in another realm and are disdainful of humans. Patricia C. Wrede’s dragons also speak vocally, are allergic to wizards, use the possession of a Princesses as a cook/servant as a status symbol and their king can be male or female. We have Puff the Magic dragon who…do I really need to explain him? Many authors have also used dragons as large dangerous predators with as much intelligence as a dog or bear.
I truly love all the variety, but Anne McCaffrey’s dragons of Pern are still my favorite. It might be because the Pern books are what introduced me to the idea of dragons that were more than the fire-breathing monster who gobbled princesses, terrorized villages and fought knights on horseback.
I read Dragonflight for the first time when I was around 13, and I was hooked for life. Those huge, intelligent creatures fascinated me. I loved Ramoth and Mnementh–even if I have no idea how to properly say his name–as much as their riders, and sometimes more. Who doesn’t get choked up when Canth tries and fails to save Windreth? Their love and compassion, coupled with their physical power, make them incredible companions.
Then you add in the whole telepathy thing, and the ability to have someone who know you that intimately and love you much…it would be a wonderful life-changing experience.
Ok, and let’s be honest, how cool would it be to fly? To ride a dragon and feel the wind in your hair and see the land below with so little between you and the earth would be incredible! Of course, I speak as one of those weird people who love heights; my parents were always trying to get me out of trees and off the roofs of buildings. Fortunately, I never got the idea I could fly.
I think the other reason Pern dragons stand out for me is their ability to travel between space and time. Imagine taking 10-20 minutes to get someplace far away instead of several hours, if not days? The temptation to go between time would be significant, but who couldn’t use an extra 10 minutes, or an hour, sometimes?
I’ve always wished most the wonderful creatures and beings I come across in fiction were real, but I always come back to dragons.
So yeah, I choose a dragon from Pern.
Oh my…I didn’t realize my post was that long.
I’m going to be sad all weekend because I don’t have a Hobbes.
Thanks for ruining my weekend, Fantasy Magazine.
(I wouldn’t have thought about it if you hadn’t asked…)
Book 3 should be right up your alley then, Rachel. Fires of Rapiveshta, deals with dragon clans; Verna has taken great pains to create, and breath new life into the dragons.
I’ll look at that. Thanks for the recommendation!
Sorry. I should have mention that ‘Fires’ is not yet out. My apologies. Will keep everyone posted on Verna’s website, though.
Book 2, Tree of Bones, is set for debut by her publisher at DragonCon in Sept.
As usual I will go with the Dresden Files for all three of my answers:
Mouse, Harry’s giant, friendly, demon-eviscerating foo dog. *sniff* he grew up so fast.
Mister, the “domestic” cat who’s really in charge.
And then there’s Bob. He’s not an animal, but he’s not human either. And he’s definitely not cute and cuddly. He’s like the creepy old dude version of a familiar.
I liked the dragons from the Joel Rosenberg “Guardians of the Flame” series. Ellegon was a telepathic wise-ass who also served as something akin to a sentient attack helicopter. That eats sheep. And soldiers.
Most useless non-human companion would have to be Fizz-gig from The Dark Crystal. A close second would be Jar-Jar Binks. Or Uni from the Dungeons and Dragons Cartoon.
My favorite of all-time would be the god-warrior from Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. If you haven’t read the comic, and have only seen the movie, you might put him up there with Jar-Jar, but seriously, he rocks the house.
How about ‘Nibbler’ from Pirates of Darkwater (Hanna-Barbara cartoon series?) Annoying, did little else besides eat melons. Oh yeah, great companion.
I always think back warmly of Gurgi from the Prydain books by Lloyd Alexander. He rivals Sam Gamgee for loyalty and his magic wallet that is always full of food would come in mighty handy on the commute home from work when I’m feeling snackish. He’s a born poet, “munches and crunches, boatings and floatings”
But my ideal companion would be the Sigeel-Nin-Shwagn. An invisible bird-monkey that is capable of divining what you truly want to do and say, and takes subtle steps to prevent you from doing so.
Rick,
You posted your Monkey-Bird comment right before I could post my Bird-Monkey one!
What are the chances of that?
I think Steven Brust did a wonderful job in the Vlad Taltos series by introducing Loiosh, the Jhereg companion as a counterpointed sarcasm to the main character’s own cynicism. Rather than being a cartoon designed for comic relief (like the luggage in Discworld – although, I wonder if Rincewind really feels that way about it) or some untouchable idealized best friend, the Jhereg is dangerous, poisonous, alert for opportunity, and quick to point out when his boss is being an idiot: the perfect companion for an assassin.
Oooh. That last comment reminded my of Flinx’s minidrag, Pip in the Alan Dean Foster series. Pip could shoot an stream of nasty acid with unerring accuracy. Great little buddy to have on your side. And affectionate too.
MKK
Has anyone read Patricia C. Wrede’s “Dealing with Dragons”? Kazul the dragon is a phenomenal character. Smart, a little snarky, and a perfect counterpoint to Cimorene, the heroine. Awesome book, I definitely recommend it if you haven’t read it.
My other favorite is the little seal in the movie The Secret of Roan Inish (I think Fiona called him Jack). You’re never quite sure how he knows the things he does but he’s got these gorgeous liquid black eyes and when he’s gazing right into the camera, you definitely get the feeling that there’s something Otherwordly about him. Plus, he’s a seal so he’s got that funny/spunky/cute thing going on. I’d love to have him along on a seafaring adventure.
Ditto much of the above, plus:
Fire lizards. Because they could teleport outside to use the restroom without assistance.
Mogwai. The ideal pet for Washington.
A babel fish.
A vug under the rug.
A Companion of Valdemar.
Scooby Doo.
He-Man’s Battle Cat
Tweekie (buddubuddubuh, hello Buck.)
A hawk daemon.
The ferrets from Beastmaster.
Tundro from The Herculoids
Muffit the Daggit (old school BSG)
Opus the penguin.
Randy, I always thought of Shaggy as being Scoob’s companion. And only passably human.
Did you know that Muffit was actually a chimpanzee in a daggit costume?
On Beastmaster, my favorite was the big black cat, mostly because he was helping Dar run a game on Tanya Roberts. “Don’t move! The cat is fierce.” Aww yeah. The big cat is the ultimate wingman.
Jonathan,
Great minds DO think alike. And the Universe is in sync.
Without a doubt, the best non-human companion of myth and folklore is a unicorn. I didn’t have any particular unicorn in mind. Frankly, they all look the same to me. Oops. Was that a racist remark. I apologize for any bruised, winged-equine, feelings. I sometimes speak before I think.
In any case, my favorite non-human companion would definitely be a unicorn. It would be possessed of a kind and gentle disposition. It would be graceful and elegant and beautiful to behold, but it wouldn’t allow me to ride it. They never do, you know. I seem to recall dating a few girls like that in college, and they were delightful companions. Perhaps they knew that they would linger longer in my memory if they refused to be mounted.
I have a few crystal unicorns. I keep them in a box in the back of the closet, and only bring them out when the wife’s not home. She would be very jealous and I would wind up sleeping on the sofa; or perhaps in the stables.
It occurred to me that some people might find fault with my reference to unicorns as winged-equines. To clear up the matter I am including this article from today’s Miami Herald.
Recent Developments in the On-Going UI Crisis
By
G.R. Bretz
(Washington, D.C.) Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the last six months you know that Unicorn Industries requested ten billion dollars in bailout money. In light of exorbitant bonuses paid to UI executives during a period when the company was showing record losses, many senators and congressmen on both sides of the aisle were skeptical of the request.
UI executives made matters worse when they arrived at the Capitol in private jets.
Senator Watu Olde (R-Ariz.) summarized his colleagues concerns at a press conference last week.
“If this nation intends to rewards incompetence and mismanagement we are being grossly underpaid.”
President Obama approved the request with the provision that UI restructure its product line to meet the needs of the modern consumer. The keystone of that restructuring is the development of the winged-unicorn model scheduled to be released in 2012.
Unicorn Industries CEO G.I. Dontno said that the move would allow UI to be competitive in the luxury market, which has been dominated by European Centaur imports for the last decade.
Environmentalists were quick to raise the alarm. The new winged-model will use twice as much oats as previous models. They point to recent studies which show a direct link between equine flatulence and global warming.
Activist Pomp S. Twit addressed the matter in his latest blog entry.
“The last thing this planet needs is another ten million horse farts every hour; as if the cows weren’t bad enough.”
Industry insiders have assured me that the long-awaited LMEFF, or low methane emission flatulence filter is nearly complete. The LMEFF will be standard on winged models.
In a related story, consumer advocate Pamela Nightinjale expressed her concerns in an article in this week’s Consumer Digest.
“This new and less efficient model is a risky venture when there is so much political instability in the oat-growing regions of the world. If there is another outbreak of violence in Nebraska or Iowa we could be looking at a return to the days of five dollar a bushel oats. The wise consumer should keep that in mind when selecting their next unicorn.”
At his morning press conference President Obama was asked for his response to the article.
He said:
“First let me remind of you this administration’s commitment to establish a lasting peace in the mid-West. I think Ms. Nightinjale’s article portrays a worst case scenario. The price of oats is at a five-year low. As we continue to develop renewable solar, wind and geo-thermal energy our nation’s dependence on oats will decline. My economists assure me that the price of a bushel of oats will be down to below a dollar a bushel by the time this new model is available.
This just in from our business desk:
The DOW posted a sixteen hundred point drop today. Analysts say that the sudden drop was triggered by anxious investors scrambling to unload oat futures.
A spokesman for the White House said that the decline was a fluke brought on by a misinterpretation of the President’s remarks. He assured the public that this would be a very good time to buy oats.